Game Thread PLAYOFFS: ROUND 1, GAME 4: NUGGETS @ BLAZERS - MAY 29, 2021 - SATURDAY, 1:00, TNT & NBCSNW

Nurk is the only guy that didn't sound like he was an extension of Stottsisms. All of these guys are just talking about playing a little harder and it's a make or miss league. No talk of big changes or really bringing their games to the next level. These guys are just talking about doing, just a little better.

I'm so over hearing our coach and then his players echoing that nothing needs to really change the ball just needs to bounce the right way. These guys should be looking to kick themselves in the ass and making big changes so they're nowhere close to losing this next game. Basically what they're all saying is that they're not making any adjustments but just expecting to play better. I'm just ready to hear a team that's being coached and not pumped up by a cheerleader who they call coach.

 

Let me get you straight. You thought we’d make the playoffs or not make the playoffs. Nice take. I can do that too. We’ll win tomorrow or we won’t. I’m a genius!

 

Do you really want them to be sharing strategy with the media? They’re giving boring answers because Stotts is a good coach and told them not to share strategy with the media. Or do you want Denver to know our game plan? There are tiny intricacies to this game. Little adjustments here and there and sharing that with Denver thru the media would be stupid. You’re talking about professional athletes and a perennial NBA coach of the month. They’re not as dumb as you think.

 

Then Campazzo and Rivers wouldn’t be playing. Sounds good to me.

 

Yes, if we’re putting Kanter in the game, it should be to score. He should immediately get touches. Maybe get Jokic in foul trouble for once.

 

Happened 2 times just last year. Denver lost Game 3 with series tied 1-1 vs both Jazz and Clippers and they won both series.

 

Just want to see some urgency but that's foolish of me since these guys come from the school of Stotts.

 

Blazers only got out of the first round 3 times with Drexler. 1990-92. That’s it. Not quite “always.”

 

I thought we were right on the edge of making it or not making it and once we did I predicted that we'd be out in the first round. My official position was that we would make it but specifically when corresponding with you I was dubious because you continuously (and rightly so) stated that we would make it because the teams that we had to face that were better than us down the stretch wouldn't try to win. You were right and my negative suspicions were wrong. We made the playoffs and lets just hope I'm wrong again and that we beat the Nuggets and the next team after that and so on.

 

I’ve seen urgency in all 3 games. It’s the fucking playoffs. They want to win more than we want them to. This is their lives and their legacies. For us, it’s just fun and then we move on with our day. They risk their bodies. Just cuz we lose, doesn’t mean they didn’t care. Both teams want it badly. That’s what I saw. Jokic and Dame desperate to make a deep playoff run. Nurkic desperate to win a playoff series. Melo desperate to stay relevant. And Austin Rivers desperate for a contract. So much urgency in one game!

 

This team got simple formula. They got guys to make impact and if they play team ball, they winning.
I really think about CJ as a smart guy, but seeing him hitting 3 pointer - down single digits, 4th quarter - with no one even on Denver's half, let alone anyone set for a rebound... It is just fuckin dumb AF.

And Melo goes just right after.
And, sadly, Dame do that too.

So, Stotts is freezing all the young guys on bench. They are 3rd category players.
Then, there are 2nd category players. They can stay on the court, but they can't touch the ball.
And then you got Dame, CJ and Melo. Nurk is kinda border line.

What I'm saying is: I'm sure, CJ and Dame want to win, but they want to do it alone.

Team play is the key.
If CJ go Westbrook brain again, we done.

 

The altitude effect is no longer in play after game three. Game four levels that playing field from here on out.
Blazers need to win the next 2 games.

 

with all due respect, can you just pound sand instead whenever you get the urge to be the semantic policeman around here?

 

Although in this series, it seems just one little change would make the difference. Play RHJ instead of Kanter. I was really impressed with how quick RHJ made a pass back out to the perimeter; it was part of one of our only good passing sequences. It's a shame Stotts didn't play him a lot down the stretch of the season so the team and he would have been used to working with each other.

 

I really hope we didn’t give up our first rounder for 1 playoff game win

 

RHJ is the perfect guy out there with Dame, CJ, and Melo. Someone who doesn’t wanna shoot and hustles for second possessions.

 

I’m gonna watch this one until Kanter checks in. If he checks in, imma go surf.

 

Maybe they do/are but just don’t like vocalizing it to the media?

 

According to NBA zigzag theory we will win this one, my guess is by 10. Unfortunately it feels like a Den in 6 kinda series.

 

Yes Players that speaks out a lot usually get traded and one thing this organization hate someone speaking out.